direct reversal of ilford digital silver panchromatic paper

johnielvis · Jun 26, 2013

Thanks to Simon Galley of Ilford, I had an opportunity to experiment with the ilford digital silver panchromatic black and white photo paper.

I have very good results using it as a direct reversal paper shooting at EI=12. This give you about three stops faster than the ilford direct reversal paper that they sell in cut sheets. The difference is that the digital silver is panchromatic and has to be handled in total darkness. And the process to get direct reversal is also more involved--it's the standard reversal process: develop, bleach, clear, re-expose, re-develop, fix.

I highly recommend playing with it if you can get some. On another note, is anyone interested in splitting a roll of 8" digital silver paper perhaps? you cut your own 8x10 sheets that way. contact me if interested in going halfsies or if there's more than one person we can go 3 or 4 ways.

AgX · Jun 27, 2013

There is no common designation of "direct reversal paper".

there are:

-) negative papers developed in a reversal process

-) direct positive papers developed in a single stage

Bob Carnie · Jun 27, 2013

I have around 4 rolls of 30 inch by 100ft of the RC version to sell.
I also know where there is another 10.

It would have to be checked for fogging.

johnielvis said:
Thanks to Simon Galley of Ilford, I had an opportunity to experiment with the ilford digital silver panchromatic black and white photo paper.

I have very good results using it as a direct reversal paper shooting at EI=12. This give you about three stops faster than the ilford direct reversal paper that they sell in cut sheets. The difference is that the digital silver is panchromatic and has to be handled in total darkness. And the process to get direct reversal is also more involved--it's the standard reversal process: develop, bleach, clear, re-expose, re-develop, fix.

I highly recommend playing with it if you can get some. On another note, is anyone interested in splitting a roll of 8" digital silver paper perhaps? you cut your own 8x10 sheets that way. contact me if interested in going halfsies or if there's more than one person we can go 3 or 4 ways.

johnielvis · Jun 27, 2013

that stuff does seem to get fog on it very quickly--I had mine a couple of months in holders and, during that time, it picked up enough fog to where it resulted in, at first a brown town, and recently, actual dark silver over the brown tone. Ferricyanide bleach cleared up that slight fog like magic. But, yes, fog is something to look out for--I don't know if this same fog appears in normal processing--this is after very very strong re-exposure and re-development "to completion" of everything left after the bleach process. Since this fog that I mention did NOT show up in the first development (it needed the extreme re-exposure to become developable), it may not show up. Seeing as how mine did get "reversal foggy" in a couple of months, I'd assume any stuff that's been sitting around will need the bleach treatment after processing.

30 inch is difficult to cut down however. the 8" is best for 8x10 sheets. 30 inch would be fun to play with for super ULF experimentation.

Then again, price is everything.

CARNIE--I'd be interested if you can cut the stuff down---I'd like 11x14 sheets myself.

Bob Carnie · Jun 27, 2013

I was talking about the paper itself exhibiting a fog. not sitting in holders.

I would consider to cut it down to smaller rolls, we do this for other papers, but you are on your own for cutting it to sheets from rolls.

I will only sell cut to smaller rolls if you take the whole roll.. I am not interested in going to cut sheet, I would have to charge you too much for the time spent.

Price is going to be what it is, based on current pricing .

johnielvis said:
that stuff does seem to get fog on it very quickly--I had mine a couple of months in holders and, during that time, it picked up enough fog to where it resulted in, at first a brown town, and recently, actual dark silver over the brown tone. Ferricyanide bleach cleared up that slight fog like magic. But, yes, fog is something to look out for--I don't know if this same fog appears in normal processing--this is after very very strong re-exposure and re-development "to completion" of everything left after the bleach process. Since this fog that I mention did NOT show up in the first development (it needed the extreme re-exposure to become developable), it may not show up. Seeing as how mine did get "reversal foggy" in a couple of months, I'd assume any stuff that's been sitting around will need the bleach treatment after processing.

30 inch is difficult to cut down however. the 8" is best for 8x10 sheets. 30 inch would be fun to play with for super ULF experimentation.

Then again, price is everything.

CARNIE--I'd be interested if you can cut the stuff down---I'd like 11x14 sheets myself.

johnielvis · Jun 27, 2013

thanks for the info.

how much for a whole roll of 30" cut into two 11" widths and one 8" width?

Bob Carnie · Jun 27, 2013

won't work

Bob Carnie · Jun 27, 2013

too terse... the blade width has to be taken into account, therefore the sizes you request go over the 30 inch.

I would have to see what the paper costs, add in cutting time and get back to you privately via pm if you are still interested.

johnielvis · Jun 27, 2013

ok---just see what's possible then--maybe two 11 inchers and then one...what 4 incher for 4x5 folks...or one 11" two 8"? find out the possibilities of your equpiment.

to tell the truth, it may be best for me to just buy an 8" roll myself and sell it in lengths to people who are interested--way less botherfor everyone involved--less shipping...you're in canada! I don't get 11" for 11x14 cuts, but that's something I guess I can live with for now.

yeah..upon thinking about this--30 inch is best left as 30" for ulf big 30" widths...which I DO want to do in the future...I need to build an obscura for that size first.

Bob Carnie · Jun 27, 2013

Could you post some of your results ,, I find this interesting, as I also have lots of 30 inch by small lengths of the fibre paper which is not practical to put on the machine.
Your application sounds very interesting .

johnielvis said:
ok---just see what's possible then--maybe two 11 inchers and then one...what 4 incher for 4x5 folks...or one 11" two 8"? find out the possibilities of your equpiment.

to tell the truth, it may be best for me to just buy an 8" roll myself and sell it in lengths to people who are interested--way less botherfor everyone involved--less shipping...you're in canada! I don't get 11" for 11x14 cuts, but that's something I guess I can live with for now.

yeah..upon thinking about this--30 inch is best left as 30" for ulf big 30" widths...which I DO want to do in the future...I need to build an obscura for that size first.

johnielvis · Jun 27, 2013

sorry--the pics--they're all ppl and I don't post pics of people.

HOWEVER--how about this--you can shoot some in your camera and send them to me for processing and I'll send them back....just throw in a few unshot sheets for me for my troubles and chemicals how about?

or you can process yourself easier- actually---what am i thinking...all you need is dichromate bleach and you got it...OH and pq uinversal developer is what I used...you must use paper developer--strong film developer like hc110 will develop to fog quickly and you'll get no image--paper developer doesn't develop fog on it.

johnielvis · Jun 28, 2013

HEY WHAT!!!!! I got some cut in sheets 8x10...ULTRAFINE ONLINE!

http://www.ultrafineonline.com/ilrcdibwpafo2.html

it looks like they're cutting this stuff down now...HORAY!!!!!! a source.

direct reversal of ilford digital silver panchromatic paper

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